Best For First Date In Manchester

Big night planned? Take the stress out of a romantic evening with someone new thanks to our guide, which is perfect for all couples and wallet sizes too. From a choice of stylish bars or rustic restaurants to quirky activities and epic events, these first date ideas in Manchester are sure to impress your crush.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 2nd December 2025




Freight Island

Looking for a unique first date idea? Freight Island in the heart of The Depot, Mayfield, is the perfect place to impress your date while enjoying great food, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere.

With a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options, you can explore an array of street food from vendors like Burgerism and Voodoo Ray's, or sip cocktails in the trendy tequila bar. 

Cherry Jam

Cherry Jam is a favourite for first date ideas in the North West, thanks to its roster of bottomless events. Check it out on a Saturday, where afternoon tea is accompanied by free-flowing cocktails, or go in for Sunday sharing platters with the same unlimited drinks treatment. Better yet, there's boy band-themed bingo brunches too.

The Lawn Club

Upgrade your Bottomless!

The Lawn Club is an Instagrammable setting fit for any occasion – especially a romantic evening for two. With multiple bars, including an outdoor one, seasonal decor and top-notch food, there'll be lots to distract you from those first date nerves. For those summer meet ups, make sure to grab a seat on their sun-soaked terrace and sip on refreshing spritz cocktails together.

What's on at GRUB

Offering plenty of cheap date ideas in Manchester, GRUB's lineup of events consist of everything from street food bottomless brunches to food or cocktail masterclasses, board game nights and burlesque. So, what're you waiting for?

Immersive Gamebox

When you're looking for sober first date ideas in Manchester, keep Immersive Gamebox on your radar. The pair of you will step into your own box to get stuck into a whole library of hyper-interactive games, including CIA training programmes and alien aptitude tests. And if you aren't booze-free? You can have drinks delivered to your private area.

The Alchemist Manchester - New York Street

Searching for the most fun first date ideas in Manchester? The Alchemist on New York Street, in Spinningfields and at MediaCity's waterfront are shaking up a whole host of theatrical cocktails to keep your meet-up drinks interesting. 

Be sure to check out their sharing Sunday Feast menu too, costing only £20 per person. This indulgent platter features barbecue ribs, loaded truffle tater tots, pork belly bites and much more.

Kitty Yoga Manchester

@ The Life Centre on Saturday 6th December 2025 and 3 other dates

Want to win over your date with the most wholesome day out ever? Then take them to Kitty Yoga, where you'll get to play with some adorable kittens as you get to know each other.

Their hour-long sessions begin with a 40-minute vinyasa flow that's both soft and slow, led by a helpful instructor. After you're feeling suitably relaxed, there'll be 20 minutes to hang out with the cats uninterrupted.

1UP

Whether D&D, classic consoles, Pokémon cards, arcade machines or boardgames are more your thing, 1UP has your back for a Didsbury date destination. Plus, you can grab cool cocktails to accompany wings, or continue to fuel your competitive spirits with ping pong.